Dual enrollment is a powerful mechanism to support college readiness and success for high school students across the country, especially for students at rural schools.
Today, almost 53 percent of U.S. school districts serve rural communities and students. While rural schools provide unique advantages, they also face distinct challenges in creating effective dual enrollment opportunities for students. In particular, finding qualified instructors and addressing transportation issues are especially acute for rural high schools due to geographical distances and teachers being recruited to work in less rural, higher-paying districts.
This case study from Jobs for the Future examines how three rural schools in Texas addressed three challenges rural schools face: overcoming distance to higher education partners, supporting students in navigating the college environment, and building staff capacity to support dual enrollment.